Settling Down with the Alpha

Chapter 8

"You're a dumbass."

Jak flipped Tay off with one hand as the other shoved popcorn in his mouth. "Bite me."

Tay sat down in his chair and pulled the notebook into his lap. "No. I mean it. You are a dumbass. Did you even listen to what he was trying to say? Or did you just lose your temper and become obstinate?"

His friend set the bowl aside and pulled his knees up. "He basically said he was a manwhore." He caught the paperwad thrown at him. "What?!"

"Reaux was never a manwhore. He only ever had one lover at a time and only shared with others when the other person was comfortable."

Jak blinked at his best friend. When he'd shown up at Tay's condo, he'd started rambling about the fight and Dante. Tay had listened as he'd gathered names, phone numbers, and prices so they could set up the party. He'd asked questions here and there, but for the most part he'd just let Jak rant.

The other Alpha had gone through something similar with Damian while they'd been in high school. He was neither as tactful as Reaux nor did he care whose feelings he hurt. As long as Damian had been and was safe, he hadn't cared what the outcome had been or was. Now that they were a bonded pair, Tay didn't allow anyone near Damian he didn't know or trust.

As far as Jak knew, Reaux was not the same. He allowed Jak to do whatever he wanted within reason. Jak could come and go as he pleased, and he didn't have to check in with him if he didn't want to even though he did. Their relationship was pretty relaxed. Jak's family knew he had a lover, but they didn't know the extent of it. He rarely brought it up to them unless they asked.

The news of Reaux's past was somewhat unnerving for Jak. He knew how dominant Reaux was. He'd see him back down the fire chief at a party, but he hadn't known about Andrew and his past until the man had messaged him. Jak hadn't been snooping. Reaux had been logged in to his computer when the message had come across. It had all come at the same time as Dante Rodriguez, and Jak had a hard time separating the two in his head.

"How did you know about his past?" he asked.

"You're not the only one who's worried about your relationship," Tay mused.

Reaux had only one close friend he talked to on a regular basis. He had Tiffany, but she didn't give as much advice. She usually rold him to beat the silver spoon out of Jak's mouth. If he was talking to Tay, it meant he was troubled by it.

Jak had seen Reaux troubled one time. It had been when they'd started investigating Damian's case. It had been so high profile he hadn't wanted to screw it up, but most importantly, Damian was Jak's friend. They had just bonded and had tried to figure things out. Reaux hadn't wanted to fail Jak by failing Damian. He'd stayed up days on end trying to find clues and piece the story together. That had been before there'd been any leads other than Evan Delmane.

When Even had been murdered, Reaux had thought his case was over. He'd withdrawn from Jak for several weeks because he hadn't wanted to be seen as a failure. But luck had been on his side and they'd found a link to Conrad Evers. Both Reaux and Jak had pursued it, and thankfully had come up trumps. Now Evers was on death row and Damian lived with Tay.

"Jak," Tay said. He waited until his friend looked at him. "Have you ever looked at anyone since you started living with Reaux?"

He didn't have to think. "No, not as in a sexual partner. I find people attractive, but I don't want to sleep with them."

A slow smile spread across Tay's face. "People?"

Jak nodded. "Yeah, people. What about it?"